The landmark ruling on press freedom that Sunday Tribune northern editor Suzanne Breen won in Belfast last week is a crucial victory for professional journalists in this country. It copperfastens the argument that journalists cannot be used as witnesses or gatherers of information for the police, even though the crime being investigated can be vile indeed.

Belfast recorder Tom Burgess ruled that the PSNI's attempt to force Breen to hand over material connected with the interview she conducted with a senior member of the Real IRA, following their murder of two British army soldiers last March, posed a real threat to her life and that of her family. The judgment is a vindication of the stance taken by Breen, this newspaper and the NUJ, often in the face of vociferous opposition among some quarters who misunderstood why we had to fight for the integrity of journalism and the ability of journalists to practise their profession even though the crime we were reporting on was heinous.

We are profoundly grateful to the thousands of people who gave Suzanne Breen and this newspaper their support. It was personally a difficult time for her and her family as she faced the real prospect of up to five years in prison. A sincere thank you to all.